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Essay / Impact of the macroeconomic policies imposed by the Correa government on Ecuadorian industry
The macroeconomic policies of the different countries of the world “have as their fundamental objectives price stability, sustainable growth, full employment, viability of balance of payments, among others”; therefore, the evaluation of the management of economic authorities is carried out based on the objectives obtained in these same areas. Currently, Ecuador is considered a "high-middle income" nation, with a dollarized economy dependent on oil revenues and a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$98.614 million (2017) which places it ranked eighth in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).” This territory has 16.6 million inhabitants, however “per capita income measured on the basis of purchasing power parity is estimated at US$11,185 (2017), lower than the LAC region average of 15 US$649”. In order to analyze the economic behavior of the Ecuadorian industrial sector, it is very important to first have an overview of its political-economic trend over the last ten years. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayIn mid-2007, economist Rafael Correa assumed the country's presidency. The main leader and promoter of the Revolución Ciudadana political movement achieved numerous legal and socio-economic changes during his presidential period; for example, Ecuador has gone through a process of redefining the development model approved in the Carta Magna (2008) and the National Plan for Good Living (PNBV). This project primarily targeted social spending and state investment as aspects of achieving greater development, which involved extensive financial and regulatory reforms. Although one cannot deny improvements such as infrastructure, big questions arise as to whether all the measures applied have been the best in achieving a sustainable economy and generating development in the country. Likewise, in order to achieve each of the objectives, the Over the last decade, the government has made tax collection the primary basis of its budgetary policy; for this reason, “taxes represented 65% of central government revenues while the sale of oil and derivatives constituted 23%, the remaining 12% corresponds to non-tax revenues and transfers”. Given this fact, it is effectively understood that the majority of spending and investments made by Correa's government were actually the result of all the monetary activities of Ecuadorians. The macroeconomic policies adopted within the framework of this ten-year regime, which from the beginning claimed to improve tax revenues, were harshly questioned by the civil and commercial sector. Looking at taxes and their consequences, analysts can say that the business sector has been hit the hardest; furthermore, they frequently speak of the productive discouragements that taxes have caused. However, there are two whose impact has generated the most unease: “customs tariffs on capital outflows” and, above all, “safeguards”. In March 2015, the government adopted temporary balance of payments safeguards, following the global crisis. The Trade Organization regulates, in response to the collapse of oil prices, the appreciation of the US dollar and, consequently, the reduction in tax revenues. This economic measure allowed Ecuador to impose customs duties on imports; initially, “safeguards of 7% and 21% were imposed respectively on.